Burgess clears the air with Carling

Sam Burgess has revealed Will Carling contacted him to explain his claim that the inexperience of England’s rugby league convert would be exposed during the World Cup.

Carling expressed his misgivings over Burgess on the eve of last Wednesday’s squad announcement, stating the global showpiece has come too soon in his union career to the point that he feels “sorry for him”, adding that he strays out of position in defence.

The former England captain’s assessment was based on Burgess’ international debut in the 19-14 victory over France at Twickenham last month, a match that saw him execute two bone-jarring hits in an otherwise unspectacular evening.

It has been only 10 months since Burgess joined Bath, for whom he played his best rugby at blindside flanker and not the inside centre position assigned to him by England, and from the start the 26-year-old has been braced for harsh words.

“I’ve spoken to Will – he got in touch after he made his comments,” Burgess said.

“Will’s just passionate about England. He has his opinion and is entitled to them. I just think you should never take comments personally.

“It doesn’t affect me as a player, I believe in myself and the people around me. I understand it’s all part of the process.

“I knew this kind of thing would come around. I was already well prepared for it. As a player I feel ready. I have a lot of belief in the training I’ve done over the last 10 weeks.”

Burgess’ place in the World Cup squad came at the expense of the more established Luther Burrell and the England management’s faith in a player who has produced so few union highlights has provoked a variety of reactions ranging from excitement to incomprehension.

A second cap will be won from the bench in Saturday’s final warm-up match against Ireland at Twickenham and the powerful Yorkshireman insists he is now comfortable in his new surroundings.

“Someone just asked me a question ‘how do you feel?’. I said ‘I’m fine, I feel like a rugby union player’,” he said,

“People will always compare my past to what’s going on now, whereas I’d rather not do that.

“I feel like I’m a rugby union player and that I’m ready to do the job in hand and add my weight to the squad, in whatever capacity that may be.”

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